A tragic incident struck Borno State over the weekend as nine people lost their lives in a deadly explosion caused by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), suspected to have been planted by Boko Haram terrorists.
The blast occurred in Mairari village, Guzamala Local Government Area, where the victims were reportedly waiting at a bus stop when the explosives detonated on Saturday, June 1, 2025.
The attacks have once again heightened tensions and fears in the region, which continues to grapple with insecurity fueled by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) insurgents. These terrorist groups have been responsible for numerous attacks, bombings, and abductions across northeastern Nigeria over the past decade.
In response to the escalating violence, the Bale Galtimari Consultative (BGC) Forum has renewed its call on the Federal Government to relocate the Giwa Barracks from its current location in Maiduguri.
The Forum argues that the barracks, a long-standing military facility and frequent target of insurgent attacks, has become a significant security risk to surrounding communities and residents.
According to Dr. Zanna Boguma, the Acting Chairman of the Forum, speaking at a press briefing in Maiduguri on Sunday, June 1, 2025, the continued presence of the barracks in a densely populated area exposes over a million residents to constant danger due to its vulnerability to terrorist assaults.
He highlighted previous attacks on the barracks in 2014, three times in 2015, and again in 2019, all aimed at freeing detained insurgents, and noted a recent explosion within the barracks itself that caused significant tension.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi, has expressed grave concern over the worsening security situation in the country.
ALSO READ : ECOWAS endorses Dangote Refinery as West Africa’s strategic petroleum hub
Speaking over the weekend, the monarch lamented that insurgents and bandits are now living openly among ordinary citizens in many Nigerian communities.
He urged both the government and citizens to work together to confront the growing insecurity, emphasizing the urgent need for intelligence-driven operations and community collaboration.
The Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who visited the site of the Mairari explosion, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He described the incident as a painful reminder of the continuing threats posed by terrorists in the region and pledged the state legislature’s unwavering commitment to supporting all security efforts aimed at restoring peace.
Security operatives have since cordoned off the area of the blast and commenced investigation. Authorities have also stepped up patrols and surveillance around sensitive areas in the state as part of renewed efforts to prevent further attacks.
The incident in Mairari Village is the latest in a series of attacks that underline the persistent challenges facing Borno State and the wider Northeast, even as the government continues to claim gains in the fight against terrorism.